Ijma is a secondary source of Islamic law. It is based on which of the following?

Ijma is recognized as one of the secondary sources of Islamic law, and it is fundamentally based on consensus. Therefore, the correct answer is Consensus. The term Ijma literally means “agreement” or “unanimous consensus,” and in Islamic jurisprudence, it refers specifically to the collective agreement of qualified Islamic scholars (Mujtahideen) on a legal ruling after the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The importance of Ijma arises when the primary sources of Islamic law, namely the Qur’an and Sunnah, do not provide a clear or direct ruling on a particular issue. In such cases, scholars examine the matter carefully and reach a unanimous decision. Once consensus is established, that ruling becomes authoritative and binding for the Muslim community.

Ijma is distinct from other secondary sources such as Qiyas (analogical reasoning). While Qiyas involves drawing comparisons between new issues and existing rulings based on a common cause (Illah), Ijma is based purely on collective scholarly agreement. Similarly, public interest (Maslahah) is another concept used in Islamic law but it does not define Ijma itself. Thus, consensus remains the defining foundation of Ijma.

The legitimacy of Ijma is supported by Islamic teachings. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized unity and guidance within the Muslim community, and Islamic scholars interpret this as encouragement toward collective agreement in legal matters. Because scholars are experts in Islamic law, their consensus ensures that rulings remain consistent with Islamic principles and objectives.

Ijma plays a crucial role in maintaining unity, stability, and continuity in Islamic legal thought. It prevents confusion by establishing agreed-upon rulings and protects Islamic law from arbitrary interpretations. Historically, Ijma has helped address new legal, social, and administrative issues as Muslim societies expanded and evolved.